Companion Gala of Fiesta in America

Initially conceived 16 years ago as the prelude to Fiesta In America, the People’s Ball has evolved into a significant Fil-Am community event in its own right. The gala event started as a gesture of appreciation for Fiesta In America’s institutional supporters. As word spread about the People’s Ball and its core attendees of civic and business leaders, the gala gradually earned a level of recognition among prominent circles, transforming the People’s Ball into a red-letter day for the Fil-Am Who’s Who in the New Jersey-New York area.
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The gala’s centerpiece is the Annual Empowerment Awards, which are conferred on achievers in business and industry, public service, and the humanities for their body of work. An exception was made in 2021 when the Empowerment Awards focused entirely on frontline workers, especially those in healthcare, who put their own life at risk in the service of others during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Every edition of the People’s Ball features a special dinner or luncheon for guests, capped by live entertainment, dinner and ballroom dancing.  Part of the gala’s proceeds support not-for-profit Fiesta In America’s public service activities. These include but are not limited to health awareness through free vital-signs screenings and health advisories by wellness sponsors and exhibitors, the promotion of the Philippine tourism industry, as well as U.S. marketing support for micro, small and medium-size Filipino enterprises. Pledges for donations are encouraged before and during the gala.
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Produced by Philippine Fiesta USA, Inc. A 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit corporation